Kevin Hopkins

Legionnaires’ Disease

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says hospitals must develop and adhere to policies and procedures that reduce the risk of legionella and other waterborne pathogens. Facilities unable to demonstrate measures to minimize the risk of Legionnaire’s Disease will be at risk of citation for non-compliance with the CMS Conditions of Participation. Guardian-IPCO can help with these requirements.

Guardian-IPCO has partnered with Special Pathogens Laboratory (SPL) to bring facilities advanced risk assessments and water safety plans.

Read our one page flyer about our comprehensive Legionella services – click here.

Read our one page flyer outlining 7 common miconceptions about Legionella – click here.

SPL offers what no other firm can: clinical and environmental expertise in Legionella detection, control, and remediation. Their recommendations are based on more than 30 years of seminal research and experience. As internationally recognized authorities in the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease, they assisted in developing the first Legionella guideline in the United States. Today, this proactive, evidence-based approach is a model for prevention for healthcare facilities, national and global health and regulatory organizations. SPL’s team provides a full service approach to understanding and addressing issues specific to your facility. Legionella expert, Dr. Janet E. Stout, leads a multidisciplinary group professionals that have expertise in:

    • Microbiology: Legionella and waterborne pathogens;
    • Engineering: chemical and environmental engineers specializing in waterborne pathogens;
    • Legionella risk management: more than 30 years experience;
    • Infectious diseases: consulting physician with expertise in Legionnaires’ disease;
    • Communications: public relations and risk and crisis communications;
  • Water treatment: certified water technologist with more than 30 years experience.

To learn more about Special Pathogens Laboratory, visit their website here:
https://specialpathogenslab.com/

Here is a video from NBC Nightly News which shows how the disease still remains a silent killer at hotels, prisons and hospitals:

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Serivices – Requirement to reduce Legionella Risk in Healthcare Facility Water Systems:

CDC VitalSigns – Legionnaires’ Disease / A Problem for Healthcare Facilities:

Vital Signs: Health Care–Associated Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Data from 20 States and a Large Metropolitan Area – United States, 2015:

ASHE News CDC puts focus on Legionella in health care facilities:

From the Everyday Health Website, here’s an article which discusses the risks of Legionella for workers returning to workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Legionnaires’ Disease Risk Grows as Coronavirus Lockdowns Lift